ST. LEO, Fla. - The 27th-ranked University of Southern Indiana Men's Tennis team stumbled in the opening match of its annual spring road trip, falling in a competitive match to eighth-ranked St. Leo University Sunday afternoon in St. Leo, Florida.  USI drops to 5-3 on the season, while St. Leo rises to 8-2.
 
The Screaming Eagles fell behind early with setbacks at number two and three doubles, but got on the scoreboard when junior Jack Joyce (Bournemouth, England) and freshman Roman Laga (Baiersbronn, Germany) posted a tiebreaker victory at number one, 9-8 (7-4).
 
The Lion, however, would wrap up the victory by posting wins in number three, four, and six singles and go on to the 7-2 triumph. USI tried to rally in the final three singles matches, going to a third set at number one and number five and a second set tiebreaker at number two. Joyce picked up the only USI singles' win, taking number one singles in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
 
The Eagles will attempt to get back on track as they come north, swinging northeast to play sixth-ranked Columbus State University Tuesday in Columbus, Georgia. In addition to Columbus State, USI has a tough road on its way back to Evansville, visiting Georgia Southwestern State University (Wednesday), 30th-ranked University of North Georgia (Friday) and 20th-ranked Georgia College (Saturday).